Quintus Hortensius

Hortensius, Quintus (kwĭnˈtəs hôrtĕnˈshəs) [key], 114 B.C.–50 B.C., Roman orator. He was the favorite lawyer of the patrician party and made his name as defense counsel in the bribery and embezzlement trials so frequent in Rome. At one of these trials he defended Caius Verres, who was successfully prosecuted by Cicero, Hortensius' friendly rival. Hortensius was a master of the flowery Asian style of oratory. None of his speeches have survived.